The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…

I mention this that those religious and well meaning persons who are concluded by the Canon of an ancient Council, and think that whatever was there commanded it layeth some obligation on the Consciences of us at this day, and by this means enter into infinite scruples, and a restless unsatisfied condition, may consider that the ancient Doctors of the Church had no jurisdiction over us who were born so many ages after them—Interests and manners are infinitely altered since that time—Their authority could not be longer than their lives; It's certainly not greater than that of Kings, which must die with their persons, that their successors may be Kings as well as they and not subjects of the dead—If the thing be good we may use it—and we may choose —That the fathers met at Liodicei, Antioch, Nice, &c. 1000, 1100 or 1300 years ago, should have authority over us in England so many ages after, is so infinitely unreasonable, that none but the fearful and unbelievers, the scrupulous and those which are [Greek or Hebrew] of a slavish nature, and are in bondage by their fear, and know not how to stand in that liberty ⟨p. 97⟩by which Christ hath made them free, will account themselves in subjection to them. The Canon for being in the old Codes of the Church, binds us no more than the Laws of Constantine.

I mention this that those religious and well meaning persons who are concluded by the Canon of an ancient Council, and think that whatever was there commanded it layeth some obligation on the Consciences of us at this day, and by this means enter into infinite scruples, and a restless unsatisfied condition, may consider that the ancient Doctors of the Church had no jurisdiction over us who were born so many ages after them—Interests and manners are infinitely altered since that time—Their authority could not be longer than their lives; It's certainly not greater than that of Kings, which must die with their persons, that their successors may be Kings as well as they and not subjects of the dead—If the thing be good we may use it—and we may choose —That the fathers met at Liodicei, Antioch, Nice, &c. 1000, 1100 or 1300 years ago, should have authority over us in England so many ages after, is so infinitely unreasonable, that none but the fearful and unbelievers, the scrupulous and those which are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 of a slavish nature, and are in bondage by their fear, and know not how to stand in that liberty ⟨p. 97⟩